Senior Telangana Congress Leader Ramreddy Damodar Reddy Passes Away at 73

Senior Telangana Congress leader and former minister Ramreddy Damodar Reddy, aged 73, passed away recently. He had been receiving treatment at AIG Hospital following a period of declining health.

Born in Lingatala, Kammapalli constituency of Khammam district, Damodar Reddy had been actively involved in politics since his student days. He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) five times, representing the Thungathurthi and Suryapet constituencies.

Damodar Reddy first gained statewide recognition in 1985 when he contested from the Thungathurthi constituency, a stronghold of the Communist Party, defeating veteran leader Mallu Swarajya. He went on to secure three consecutive victories, establishing a hat-trick of wins. In 1999, he faced defeat against TDP candidate Sankineni Venkateswara Rao but made a comeback in 2004, winning the election and serving as the IT Minister in Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s cabinet.

Following the creation of Telangana, Damodar Reddy remained actively involved in the statehood movement but was unable to secure a legislative seat. He contested elections in 2014, 2018, and 2023 but faced consecutive defeats. Nevertheless, his enduring influence in the Thungathurthi and Suryapet constituencies earned him the affectionate nickname "Tiger" among party leaders and supporters.

His passing has left Congress leaders and workers in deep mourning. Family members have announced that his last rites will be conducted on November 4 at his farmland in Thungathurthi. Prior to this, on November 3, his body will be transported from Hyderabad to his residence in Suryapet, where it will be available for public homage by supporters, party leaders, and well-wishers.